The composition of cuprite is Cu2O, and it contains 88.8% copper. It belongs to the isometric crystal system. The crystals are small octahedrons and are sometimes acicular or plumose. The aggregates are granular, blocky or earth-like. It is dark red and has an adamantine or submetallic lustre, a specific gravity of 6.14, a Mohs hardness of 3.5–4 and conchoidal to uneven fractures. It forms in the oxidation zone of the copper deposits and coexists with native copper, malachite, azurite, chalcocite and iron oxides. Cuprite mineral ores with peculiar shapes can be good ornamental stones.
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(2020). Cuprite. In: Chen, A., Ng, Y., Zhang, E., Tian, M. (eds) Dictionary of Geotourism. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2538-0_445
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